General Manager Harry Gamble said he telephoned Jaworski and told him of the Eagles' action.

''We appreciate the 10 years of service Ron has given the Eagles,'' Gamble said. ''He has been a credit to our organization both on the field and in the community. We wish him the very best.''

Under NFL rules clubs have 10 days to claim him, which means they must also guarantee the salary, or he becomes a free agent and can negotiate an entirely new contract.

Even if a club makes the claim, Jaworski has the option to decline to go there and instead move into free agent status because he is a vested veteran.

In being released by Philadelphia, Jaworski will receive $144,000 in incentive money from his contract for the past season.

Jaworski, at a tearful news conference Tuesday at his country club in nearby Sewell, N.J., said he was sorry to end his career with the Eagles, contending the club made the decision to drop him because it was more interested in making money than in producing a winning team.

Jaworski's agent, John Langel, said four teams already have expressed interest in signing the quarterback.